WASHINGTON (AFP) – US astronomers said Wednesday they have discovered an Earth sized planet that they think might be habitable, orbiting a nearby star, and believe there could be many more planets like it in space.

The planet, found by astronomers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the Carnegie Institution of Washington, is orbiting in the middle of the "habitable zone" of the red dwarf star Gliese 581 which means it could have water on its surface.

WASHINGTON (AFP) – US astronomers said Wednesday they have discovered an Earth sized planet that they think might be habitable, orbiting a nearby star, and believe there could be many more planets like it in space.

The planet, found by astronomers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the Carnegie Institution of Washington, is orbiting in the middle of the "habitable zone" of the red dwarf star Gliese 581 which means it could have water on its surface.

I love that how based on one solar system; scientists think they know everything about space. Really, who is to say every living organism would require water on another planet? I am still unsure how scientists are able to know so much about planets based off shadows, but whatever. I suppose the same reason they know race does not exist even though it clearly does.

Well since whites will most likely develop the capability to reach that planet first, I say we claim this planet and let the mud's have earth.

No way. I don't give it up that easy. They can have Mars or whatever.....one of those big rocks circling Jupiter.
Give them a tomato plant , 10 watermelon seeds each and take Barack Obama as their "new world" leader with them.